While children don’t necessarily have the ability to plan their own days, they do benefit immensely from routines

Routines are important to ensure security and stability.

As an adult, you probably schedule your day in a way that ensures that you have enough time for responsibilities and pleasures alike.

When children know, what activities are included in each day, they can anticipate what comes next and which activity will occupy specific times of the day; consequently, the children receive security that comes from this stability.

Routines allow children the freedom to focus.

Once an educator eliminates the anxiety and preoccupation of wondering what activities will unfold in a day, she can then provide the children with the ability to stop worrying, thus allowing them to focus on the task at hand.

Routines help children understand the concept of time and time management.

With a steadfast routine in place, young children will eventually internalize the schedule, building strong self-discipline. With practice and consistency, children will learn how to create their own routines that work for them, including morning routines, and as they get older they will create homework routines.

At Blossom by Babilou education we practice routines throughout our curriculam offerings.

Across our 10 locations our team of over 250 qualified educational experts ensure that our little ones are soothed into their environments and always understand their surroundings.

We also use communicative tools such as apps and smart-books to showcase and communicate with parents their children progress and daily routines.

This helps our families to replicate what is being practiced in our nurseries in their homes, which results in consistent and progressive results.

As parents, we can foster simple routines for our young children in the following ways:

1. Plan at least one meal per day that you have together as a family.

This is a great way to start a routine that allows children to take responsibility, even for something small, such as helping set the table.

2. Have a bedtime routine, which will help children slowly calm down, and allow them to associate certain activities with getting sleepy.

Think about what calms your child. Is it taking a bath? Reading a story? Listening to soft music? Always do the bedtime preparation in the same order, as this creates predictability and fosters a sense of stability.

3. Include preparation for transitions in the routine.

For example, say, “We have 10 minutes left before we start getting ready for bed. When the big hand gets to the 12, it will be time to put on your pajamas.”

4. Although routine is very important for young children, do allow for some flexibility.

If there is an interruption to the routine, tell your child, “I know we usually do x, but today we are going to do y because (reason). Tomorrow we will go back to our usual schedule.” If most of their day is predictable, young children will be able to deal with small changes, especially if they are prepared for the changes and see you modelling calm behavior as you deal with problems that occur.

Blossom Nursery is a leading British Curriculum Nursery, ranked amongst the best kids nurseries in Dubai. Blossom Education is an Award Winning, all inclusive ECO Nursery accepting children aged 4 months to 6 years.